Former teammates remember Lidle

October 12, 2006

Teammates and others remembered New York Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle fondly Wednesday after he was apparently killed when his plane crashed into a Manhattan high-rise condominium. ___ WHAT PEOPLE SAID Jason Giambi: "I have known Cory and his wife Melanie for over 18 years and watched his son grow up. We played high school ball together and have remained close throughout our careers. We were excited to be reunited in New York this year and I am just devastated to hear this news." Yankees owner George Steinbrenner: "This is a terrible and shocking tragedy that has stunned the entire Yankees organization." Former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani: "Having seen him pitch for the Yankees in Detroit just four days ago, it is very difficult to comprehend that I was seeing a young man in the prime of his life play his very last game." New York Mets coach Manny Acta: "It's not just about him. It's about the pilot, the co-pilot, and everyone else in the building to think about." Oakland pitcher Barry Zito: "We would call him 'Snacks' because he would eat Reese's between innings when he was pitching. ... He'd have Whoppers, ice cream, all while throwing eight scoreless innings."